Let's take a trip to...Bexhill

A pearl of style and culture nestled between vibrant Hastings and the lush landscapes of Eastbourne, Bexhill is considered by many to be a hidden gem on the sunny south coast of England. Just under two hours from London by rail or road and even closer to the ports of Dover and Folkestone, plus Eurostar at Ashford - Bexhill offers quintessential seaside charm with a huge helping of history and modern vintage aesthetic. Whether you’re stopping by for a day trip or staying for the weekend - we’ve put together some suggestions to help you plan your visit, check out our Bexhill Modern Vintage page for more.

Art & Entertainment

The De La Warr Pavilion is the epicentre of art and culture on this stretch of coastline. Designed for the people, it is now a creative hotspot for contemporary culture on Bexhill’s elegant seafront, accompanied by a classical colonnade which lines the long promenade, framing broad views across the bay to Beachy Head.

The DLWP itself attracts thousands of visitors to Bexhill each year and in 2019 will play host to The Kaiser Chiefs, Wilko Johnson, Paul Merton, Shakin’ Stevens, Nish Kumar and Jimmy Carr (to name but a few). There are always several art exhibitions to take in on your visit, too. Check out Still I Rise: Feminisms, Gender, Resistance, Act 2 and A Tale of Mother’s Bones: Grace Pailthorpe, Reuben Mednikoff and the Birth of Psychorealism for an idea of the quality of the shows on offer.

Architecture and History

Bexhill is a big historical hitter for a town of its size - being the birthplace of British motor racing and the first UK beach resort to allow mixed bathing! Much of the local history has been carefully documented and beautifully displayed at the Bexhill Museum; there you’ll find local archaeological discoveries plus displays dedicated to wartime fashion and Bexhill’s rich motor racing history.

Queen Victoria’s silk mourning dress is also on display.

The museum is open 7 days a week and will set you back a mere £3 per adult for several hours of fascinating entertainment.

Bexhill’s buildings are predominantly 18th and 19th century, with occasional Dutch and Oriental flourishes giving the seafront a stylish quirkiness. There are also many historical landmarks to discover during your stay, such as the remains of the World War 2 bunker that Spike Milligan references in 'Adolf Hitler - My Part In His Downfall'.

Bexhill boasts four heritage trails which explore pretty Bexhill Old Town, West Parade on the seafront, the town centre and Devonshire Square and Buckhurst Place, which includes the former residence of John Logie Baird, inventor of television.

Shopping

Bexhill’s modern vintage shops, quirky places for art and music, independent cafés and restaurants defy traditional seaside stereotypes.

Whether you’re searching for retro, pre-loved, collectibles or antiques - Bexhill is home to a wealth of treasures from times gone by, waiting to head to new homes.

Bexhill Antiques is an antiques wonderland based in the old Bexhill West station building on Terminus Road. Here you’ll find room upon room of antique furniture and vintage fittings - there’s even a cafe to refuel you mid-visit!

Record shops and collectibles can be found on almost every street in Bexhill, with Second Spin, Platform One, The Record Shop and Famous Collectibles all offering a wealth of items to sift through. Don’t forget to stop by the Bexhill Indoor Market on Western Road and head for the second hand bookstore tucked away in the corner.

Salvridges offers salvaged industrial, household and garden items, refurbished and bespoke furniture, collectables, vintage and retro items.

For gift ideas, check out H&H confectionery who stock retro sweets and make their own chocolates at the premises on Sackville Road!

If you’re looking for new, vintage or pre-loved clothes - check out our previous article Bexhill Style: Old and New.

Food & Drink

Bexhill’s proximity to Hastings means that it’s easy to find fresh, local Hastings Fish at restaurants and fishmongers such as The Angry Whelk.

Bexhill restaurants such as the charming, French-inspired Wickham Bistro and the luxurious flavours of modern Indian cuisine at The Culinaire are ready and waiting to take care of your dining requirements.

Other suggested stops for your stay include Rustico Italiano for Italian street food and fish and chips at Athena’s.

Check out more places to eat and drink in Bexhill to help make up your mind.

Family Friendly/The Great Outdoors

In addition to the generous stretch of stunning beaches (with sand at low tide) Bexhill seafront is a fine place for a family visit, maintained to a high standard and featuring attractions such as water fountains perfect for playing in and the Sovereign Light Cafe, the inspiration behind local band Keane’s famous song. Check out Hughies Cafe on The Colonnade for refreshments, too.

A short walk from the seafront is Egerton Park which boasts a sensory garden, tennis courts, boating lake, duck pond, outdoor gym, playpark and a cafe - not to be missed!

Stay
Now you know all of this - how could you not visit and stay for a few days?! Check out places to stay in Bexhill.